Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry locality on this Sunday evening. December has arrived after a very mild November which gave us lots of wind and rain after a dry start to the month. All talk at present is about the future of the Euro, Enda Kenny’s address to the people later this evening and the Budget midweek. I often wonder how we got to this low point in our history when we could be one of the best countries in the World. Greed and incompetence, arrogance and losing the run of ourselves can all be blamed. No one knows at present how we can get out of this mess, which is getting worse on a daily basis. Europe is in deep trouble as debts soar and countries look like going under.

Last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s was an anniversary Mass for the late Eileen Bennett Farran, Ardagh.

Santa Claus paid a visit to Carrigkerry Community Centre to meet the young children of the locality on Saturday last.

The Senior Citizens Christmas Party was held in the Carrigkerry Community Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The village Christmas tree was put in place by the FAS team and it adds some seasonal cheer to the place.

We extend our sympathy to the Doody  family, Ballyloughane, on the death of Jimmy, and the Ahern family, Main Street, Ardagh, on the death of Eileen. May they rest in Peace.

The passing of Brian Murphy of Coolanoran, Ardagh, at his residence on Sunday 27^th November, caused widespread shock to his  family and to all who knew him. His sudden death in his early thirties, is deeply regretted by all whose lives he touched in a meaningful way during his short stay on this earth. One of five in family he attended School in Newcastle West, in the Gaelscoil, and the Gaelcholáiste. He was employed locally after leaving school for a period of time. He paid a visit to Australia for a time before returning home as he was more of a home bird  and liked the lifestyle in his own locality. He was working with a transport company in Newcastle West, and was a very popular member of the community who made friends easily . His remains reposed at his residence on Monday evening from 4pm to 8pm where large crowds attended to pay their respects to his family. His remains arrived at Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Tuesday morning for 11.30am Requiem Mass. Fr Madden concelebrated  assisted by Monsignor Boyle and Fr Irwin. Family members assisted in the Ceremony and Maura’s hymn’s were touching and appropriate. Fr Madden paid tribute to Brian during his homily and a large crowd were in attendance to be part of his farewell Mass. Burial took place in the New Cemetery in Clouncagh on Tuesday 29^th November. We extend our sympathy to his parents Sean and Winnie, brothers John and Anthony, sisters Fionnula and Mary, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives, neighbours and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Bridget Martin (nee Stackpoole ) wife of the late Tom, Gortroe, Rathkeale. Her remains were removed from Magner’s Funeral Home, Rathkeale, to Saint Kyran’s, Church, Coolcappa, on Thursday evening last. Burial took place in Coolcappa Cemetery following Requiem Mass on Friday 2^nd December. We extend our sympathy to her brother Peter, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, special friend Margaret, brother-in-law, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The following are the lottery results from Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday 28^th November. The numbers drawn were 2,4,16,22, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners.

€60 Mike Liston, Glenastar, Ardagh.

€60 Stephen Nolan, Ardagh.

€60 Matso+Boxcar, Ardagh.

€30 Toss Keane, Old Mill.

€30 Margaret Murphy,  Farrans, Ardagh.

€30 Tom Harnett,  Ardagh.

Next week’s draw takes place at the Old Mill Bar and the Jackpot will be €13,000.

Congratulations to Noreen O’Keeffe, and Bill Downes who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 23^rd November.

Congratulations to Tom Culhane, and Noel Shields who were first prizewinners at the Monagea card game held on Wednesday 23^rd November.

The annual Christmas 45 Drive will be held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday 16^th December at 9pm. Valuable cash prizes to be won plus a monster raffle with more cash prizes. Admission €10 and tea will be served and all card players are welcome.

In last week’s soccer action Carrig Celtic defeated  Adare Utd away 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw to advance to the open draw stages of the Munster Junior Cup. Mark Collins scored the all important goal.

In the Desmond League Old Mill lost 1-0 at home to Athea Utd in Division 1. Kilcolman Rovers lost 6-2 away to Kilcornan in Division 2.

In the Desmond Ladies League Carrig Celtic defeated Creeves Celtic 4-1 away in the First Division with goals from Bridget Liston 3 and Karen King. Kilcolman Rovers had no fixture.

Saint Kieran’s GAA Club held their annual general meeting in Ardagh Hall on Friday 25^th November and a good crowd were in attendance. Last year was reviewed in depth with the secretary’s report, chairman’s address, treasurer’s financial account and other contributions from the floor. The following officers were put in place to run the senior club for 2012.

Chairman John Ryan: Vice-Chairman Patrick Windle, Secretary: Moira O’Donovan, Ass-Secretary: Ivan Neary, Treasurer: Tom Harnett,  Ass-Treasurer: Padraig Trant,

Irish Officer: John Ahern, Child Protection Officer: Deirdre Ambrose, P. R. O.: Owen Hayes.

Short Story Prize Winners.

Belated congratulations to Val Nolan (Junior ) Monashinnock, Ardagh, and Tom Ahern, Glensharrold who were first prize winners in two national short story competitions which ran over the summer months.

Val ‘s short story ‘’Hanging Valleys’’ was the winning entry in the RTE Guide / Penguin Ireland Short Story Competition 2011. He is a graduate of UCC and a fiction writer, academic, and journalist. He has been involved with the White House Poets in Limerick, and his work is highly regarded in journalistic circles, at home and abroad

Tom’s short story ‘’Fix Us A Drink’’ was the winning entry in the Old Moores Almanac Short Story Competition 2011.  Best wishes to both in the future.

Over one year in the making, the new website – www.limerickdiocese.org – was launched by Diocesan Administrator Fr Tony Mullins at an event attended by over 150 guests at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. The website is a one-stop information resource on all aspects of Diocesan activities, from a simple introduction to ‘Being a Catholic’ to mass times across the Diocese and contact details and information on various Diocesan backed support and organisations.

The annual Bodhrán Competition was held at The Top of the Town, Athea on Sunday 27^th November. Congratulations to Kilcolman native and Rathkeale resident Patsy Nolan who was the winner, in the open section of the very popular competition. Congratulations to James O’Connor, Kilcolman, who was the winner, in the juvenile section. Well done to all who participated and who organized the event.

The Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, together with Milford Hospice Friends Association, wish to thank most sincerely all who contributed so generously towards the annual Church gate collection, taken up at Kilcolman on Saturday 19^th November. The amount collected was €252.00. A total of €316.62 was taken up in Coolcappa Church on Sunday 20^th November. A special thank you to the collectors who gave so willingly of their time to take up the collections.

An Irish Night will be held at Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, on Saturday Night, 10th December starting at 10.00pm. Raffle on the night for great prizes. Your support will be appreciated and all are welcome.

The Ardagh/Carrigkerry annual St.Vincent de Paul collection will take place on Saturday, 10th December and Sunday 11th December 2011. Your usual generosity would be much appreciated.

The official ceremony to mark the illumination of the Milford Hospice Tree will take place at Milford Care Centre on Sunday 11th December at 6.00pm. Milford Hospice warmly invites you, your family and friends to join them for this special occasion.

Fr Liam Lawton is to perform a concert in St Joseph’s Church, O’Connell Avenue, Limerick on Wednesday 14^th December at 8pm as part of his 20^thAnniversary tour. The renowned tenor and composer has been synonymous with sacred and inspirational music which has earned him lots of praise and many accolades over the years. Fr Tom Mangan from Glensharrold, Carrigkerry is the Administrator of Saint Joseph’s Parish, and the concert is a fundraiser to clear the debt, as a result of the recent renovations, which restored the Church building to its present state. Tickets cost €20 and are available at Saint Joseph’s  Church    Phone 061 313401,  087 2348226, 085 1740599 or email [email protected]

Diocesan Administrator Fr Tony Mullins, from Ardagh and a number of priests of the Diocese and lay people, have come together on a new CD  to raise funds for the Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. The CD ‘’Christmas- A Journey of Hope’’ complete with 17 tracks and some narration, was released on Monday 5^th December. It is available to purchase for €15 at Abbey Book Store or Saint John’s Cathedral. The contents of the CD will feature in a one-off concert at Saint John’s Cathedral on Friday 16^th December.

Carrigkerry/Old Mill Development Association will hold their annual Church gate collection in Ardagh on Saturday 17^th December, and Carrigkerry on Sunday 18^th December. This is the main fundraiser for the Community Employment Scheme, which covers Carrigkerry and Old Mill. The scheme does great work in both areas, and is needed more now than ever, to maintain services, streets, sportsfields and buildings. The collection offers people a chance to show their appreciation for the work, done over the past year.

I will conclude with our thought

‘Common sense is instinct, enough of it is genius’